{"id":40941,"date":"2026-01-09T12:40:33","date_gmt":"2026-01-09T17:40:33","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.mbamission.com\/blog\/?p=40941"},"modified":"2026-01-12T13:31:59","modified_gmt":"2026-01-12T18:31:59","slug":"how-to-show-rather-than-tell-and-write-with-connectivity-in-your-mba-application-essays","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.mbamission.com\/blog\/how-to-show-rather-than-tell-and-write-with-connectivity-in-your-mba-application-essays\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Show Rather Than Tell and Write with Connectivity in Your MBA Application Essays"},"content":{"rendered":"
\n
\"<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

You may have heard the old journalistic maxim \u201cShow, don\u2019t tell,\u201d which demands that writers truly illustrate the actions involved in an event or a story rather than simply stating the results of what happened.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Here is an example of \u201ctelling\u201d (results oriented):<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI arrived at ABC Bank and took on a great deal of responsibility in corporate lending. I managed diverse clients in my first year and earned the recognition of my manager. Because of my hard work, initiative, and leadership, he placed me on the management track, and I knew that I would be a success in this challenging position.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

In these three sentences, the reader is told that the applicant \u201ctook on a great deal of responsibility,\u201d \u201cmanaged diverse clients,\u201d and \u201cearned recognition,\u201d though none of these claims are substantiated via the story. Further, we are given no real evidence of the writer\u2019s \u201chard work, initiative, and leadership.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Here is an example of \u201cshowing\u201d (action oriented):<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cAlmost immediately after joining ABC Bank, I took a risk in asking management for the accounts left behind by a recently transferred manager. I soon expanded our lending relationships with a children\u2019s clothing retailer, a metal recycler, and a food distributor, making decisions on loans of up to $1M. Although I had a commercial banking background, I sought the mentorship of our district manager and studied aggressively for the CFA exam (before and after 14-hour days at the office); I was encouraged when the lending officer cited my initiative and desire to learn, placing me on our management track.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

In this second example, we see evidence of the writer\u2019s \u201cgreat deal of responsibility\u201d (client coverage, $1M lending decisions) and \u201cdiverse clients\u201d (a children\u2019s clothing retailer, a metal recycler, and a food distributor). Further, the candidate\u2019s \u201chard work, initiative, and leadership\u201d are clearly illustrated throughout. The second example paragraph is more interesting, rich, and humble\u2014and more likely to captivate the reader. By showing your actions in detail, you ensure that your reader draws the desired conclusions about your skills and accomplishments, because the necessary facts are included to facilitate this. Essentially, facts become your evidence!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n